FIFA bans Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor from officiating Argentina's World Cup matches

Referee Michael Oliver will take charge of his seventh World Cup match — more than any other Englishman — when Spain play Belgium in Thursday’s quarter-final in Los Angeles but his chances of officiating this edition’s final on July 19 appear slim.

Oliver — or fellow Englishman Anthony Taylor — will not be allowed to take charge of the showpiece at MetLife Stadium later this month if it includes either their native England or Argentina, who are on the same side of the draw and on course to meet in a possible semi-final.

The two Premier League officials remain on FIFA's list of referees for the 2026 World Cup and are still eligible to officiate other matches.

FIFA routinely avoids appointing referees to games where nationality or political sensitivities could raise questions about impartiality.

Some social media posts have incorrectly described the decision as a "ban." However, there has been no official FIFA announcement stating that Oliver or Taylor have been banned from the tournament or stripped of their referee status.